There is no way to even come close to describe the range of emotions I am feeling in regards to my departure from Berlin and returning home. Living abroad, surrounded by another language, another culture and a city that was completely unknown to me at first, was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done, and it's really weird to think that it's over, after spending nearly a year preparing for it and nearly four months actually doing it.
I traveled to six different countries, visited five German states and saw so much of Berlin. I've started learning a new language, and while I'm nowhere near fluent, I have the desire and the drive to keep going. I met countless people who have changed my viewpoint on the world, from brief public transportation encounters to a few minutes in a bar to an hour in a hostel to several months in a city that we both call home. I felt homesick to the point of sobbing and feeling completely alone, despite being surrounded by millions of people. I became an adopted member of a family who before I started living with them were complete strangers. I dealt with people who were frustrating and hard to be around. I became friends with Germans and Americans alike.
And now, it's truly hard to believe it is over and that I'm back to my "normal" life. Will I ever return to Berlin, or even Germany? As a vacation? Maybe. As a resident? Maybe. Who knows?
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